Washington State's Domestic Partnership Bill

_{Related: Gay Issues You Should Know About}

Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire has promised to sign a domestic partnership bill passed by the state Legislature. The measure succeeded by a vote of 65-35 only a year after the state Supreme Court upheld Washington's Defense of Marriage Act banning same-sex marriage.

"It is an important step, I believe, for turning back the horrendous law that this Legislature passed in 1998, to deny gay and lesbian families the right to marry," openly-gay state Sen. Ed Murray told The New York Times.

The new domestic partnership bill provides legal benefits for same-sex couples. About.com Civil Liberties Guide Tom Head has more on the benefits of Washington's domestic partnership registry, opposition to the bill and his take on gay marriage in today's society: Washington State's Domestic Partnership Bill.

Related:
More on same-sex marriage.

Also Read:
Gay Issues You Should Know About

_{Image © Washington State Department of Information Services.}